Teflon injection of vocal cords under general anesthesia: a new method

Use of general anesthesia permits the injection of Teflon paste into immobile vocal cords in an accurate and predictable manner, with the help of a special endotracheal tube and jetted O2 or O2/n2O mixture. The authors position a nonfunctioning vocal cord so that when the functioning cord is fully adducted , the two cords are in perfect approximation for phonation. This has allowed marked improvement in effective expulsive postoperative coughing and vocalization. Debris is blown away from the operating side and not into the patient's trachea. If excessive injection of Teflon is avoided, an uneventful postoperative course can be expected.